Systems, methods, and devices for providing an LED-based linear fluorescent replacement lamp

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) lamp tube for replacing a linear fluorescent lamp that includes an inner tube wall, an outer tube wall, at least one LED array, and at least one waveguide, where the at least one LED array is coupled to an inner surface of the inner tube wall. The at least one waveguide is coupled to the end of the outer tube and is configured to reflect light emitted from the at least one LED array toward a space located between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp for replacing a linear fluorescent lamp, the LED lamp comprising:
 a lamp tube comprising:
 an outer tube wall comprising a first end and a second end, the outer tube wall having a first length; and 
 an inner tube wall comprising a third end and a fourth end, the inner tube wall having a second length; 
 
 an LED array disposed adjacent to the third end of the inner tube wall; 
 a waveguide disposed adjacent the first end and configured to reflect a portion of a light emitted from the LED array toward a space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, wherein the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall is hollow; 
 a second LED array disposed adjacent to the fourth end of the inner tube wall; and 
 a second waveguide disposed adjacent to the second end and configured to reflect a portion of light emitted from the second LED array toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, wherein the waveguide is conically shaped, wherein a first surface of the second waveguide is configured to reflect the portion of the light emitted from the second LED array toward a second surface of the second waveguide, and wherein the second surface of the second waveguide is configured to reflect the portion of the light emitted from the second LED array and reflected by the first surface of the second waveguide toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The LED lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is chamfered and configured to reflect the portion of the light emitted by the LED array toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall. 
     
     
       3. The LED lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube wall includes a reflective surface that is configured to substantially prevent the portion of the light reflected by the waveguide toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall from passing through the inner tube wall. 
     
     
       4. The LED lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first length is different from the second length. 
     
     
       5. The LED lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the light emitted from the LED array and reflected by the waveguide travels approximately 1 to 8 feet to provide illumination similar to a linear fluorescent lamp. 
     
     
       6. The LED lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is configured to allow a second portion of the light emitted from the LED array to leak through the waveguide. 
     
     
       7. The LED lamp of  claim 6 , wherein the waveguide includes a dichroic reflector to allow the second portion of the light emitted from the LED array to leak through the waveguide. 
     
     
       8. The LED lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the LED array comprises vent holes configured to enable convective cooling of the LED array. 
     
     
       9. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp assembly for replacing a linear fluorescent lamp, the LED lamp assembly comprising:
 a first LED lamp; and 
 a second LED lamp coupled to the first LED lamp, wherein each of the first LED lamp and the second LED lamp comprises:
 a lamp tube comprising:
 an outer tube wall comprising a first end and a second end, the outer tube wall having a first length; and 
 an inner tube wall comprising a third end and a fourth end, the inner tube wall having a second length; 
 
 an LED array disposed adjacent to the third end of the inner tube wall, the LED array configured to emit light; and 
 a waveguide disposed adjacent the first end and configured to reflect a portion of the light toward a space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, wherein the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall is hollow, wherein the waveguide of the first LED lamp is coupled to the waveguide of the second LED lamp, wherein the waveguide of the first LED lamp is configured to allow a second portion of the light emitted by the LED array of the first LED lamp to pass through to the lamp tube of the second LED lamp, and wherein the waveguide of the second LED lamp is configured to allow a second portion of the light emitted by the LED array of the second LED lamp to pass through to the lamp tube of the first LED lamp. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The LED lamp assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the LED array comprises vent holes configured to enable convective cooling of the LED array. 
     
     
       11. The LED lamp assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the waveguide is configured to allow a second portion of the light emitted from the LED array to leak through the waveguide. 
     
     
       12. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp for replacing a linear fluorescent lamp, the LED lamp comprising:
 a lamp tube comprising:
 an outer tube wall comprising a first end and a second end, the outer tube wall having a first length; and 
 an inner tube wall comprising a third end and a fourth end, the inner tube wall having a second length; 
 
 an LED array disposed adjacent to the third end of the inner tube wall; and 
 a waveguide disposed adjacent the first end and configured to reflect a portion of a light emitted from the LED array toward a space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, wherein the waveguide is conically shaped and wherein a first surface of the waveguide is configured to reflect, toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, the portion of the light emitted from the LED array and reflected by a second surface of the waveguide. 
 
     
     
       13. The LED lamp of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second LED array disposed adjacent to the fourth end of the inner tube wall; and 
 a second waveguide disposed adjacent to the second end and configured to reflect a portion of light emitted from the second LED array toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall. 
 
     
     
       14. The LED lamp of  claim 12 , further comprising a hollow middle portion that is partially surrounded by the inner tube wall, wherein the LED array and a heatsink are positioned in the hollow middle portion. 
     
     
       15. The LED lamp of  claim 12 , wherein the waveguide is conically shaped and wherein a first surface of the waveguide is configured to reflect, toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, the portion of the light emitted from the LED array and reflected by a second surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
       16. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp for replacing a linear fluorescent lamp, the LED lamp comprising:
 a lamp tube comprising:
 an outer tube wall comprising a first end and a second end, the outer tube wall having a first length; and 
 an inner tube wall comprising a third end and a fourth end, the inner tube wall having a second length; 
 
 an LED array disposed adjacent to the third end of the inner tube wall; 
 a waveguide disposed adjacent the first end and configured to reflect a portion of a light emitted from the LED array toward a space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, wherein the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall is hollow; 
 a heatsink configured to dissipate heat generated by the LED array; and 
 a hollow middle portion that is partially surrounded by the inner tube wall, wherein the LED array and the heatsink are positioned in the hollow middle portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The LED lamp of  claim 16 , wherein the first length is different from the second length. 
     
     
       18. The LED lamp of  claim 16 , wherein the LED array comprises vent holes configured to enable convective cooling of the LED array and/or the heatsink. 
     
     
       19. The LED lamp of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second LED array disposed adjacent to the fourth end of the inner tube wall; and 
 a second waveguide disposed adjacent to the second end and configured to reflect a portion of light emitted from the second LED array toward the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall. 
 
     
     
       20. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp assembly for replacing a linear fluorescent lamp, the LED lamp assembly comprising:
 a first LED lamp; and 
 a second LED lamp coupled to the first LED lamp, wherein each of the first LED lamp and the second LED lamp comprises:
 a lamp tube comprising:
 an outer tube wall comprising a first end and a second end, the outer tube wall having a first length; and 
 an inner tube wall comprising a third end and a fourth end, the inner tube wall having a second length; 
 
 an LED array disposed adjacent to the third end of the inner tube wall, the LED array configured to emit light; and 
 a waveguide disposed adjacent the first end and configured to reflect a portion of the light toward a space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall, wherein the space between the inner tube wall and the outer tube wall is hollow and wherein the inner tube wall partially surrounds a hollow middle portion, wherein the LED array and the heatsink are positioned in the hollow middle portion. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The LED lamp assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the LED array comprises vent holes configured to enable convective cooling of the LED array and/or the heatsink. 
     
     
       22. The LED lamp assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the waveguide is configured to allow a second portion of the light emitted from the LED array to leak through the waveguide.